One person was killed and at least 19 were injured after a car drove into an Apple store in Hingham, Mass., the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office said Monday.
Police identified Kevin Bradley, 65, of New Jersey, as the man who died at the scene, according to a press release from the district attorney’s office. The driver has not yet been identified, the prosecutor’s office said.
Several 911 calls were made asking for help at Derby Street stores, said District Attorney Tim Cruz. Hingham police and firefighters responded shortly after finding several injured people at the Apple store, Cruz added.
“A dark-colored SUV appears, passes at an undetermined speed, goes through a… glass window and hits several people,” he said.
Emergency units found “several injured patients in front of the store and inside the store, including some patients who were pinned against the wall by the vehicle,” Hingham Fire Chief Steve Murhpy said during a news conference on Monday.
There were seven fire engines and 14 ambulances on site to treat injured victims, Murphy said. The chief was unable to provide updates on the victims’ conditions. Authorities are not releasing the names of the injured victims at this time as they are working to notify family members, Cruz added.
South Shore Hospital in Weymouth, Mass., was treating 17 patients from the accident on Monday night, the prosecutor’s office told the CNN by email. Two other injured people initially taken to the South Shore were transferred to hospitals in Boston.
Injuries included people with head trauma and mutilated limbs, said Dr. William Tollefsen, who works on the South Shore and was on the scene after the accident to help triage patients.
Tollefsen said he and other first responders used a nearby restaurant during the triage to keep people out of the cold.
South Shore trauma chief Dr. Christopher Burns, said they were treating several patients with life and limb threatening injuries. Some have had surgery and others are still waiting, Burns said Monday afternoon.
Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston received two patients who are still hospitalized, according to a hospital spokesperson. Boston Medical Center has received three patients who are still in the hospital, a hospital spokesperson told CNN by phone.
It’s unclear whether Brigham and Women’s and Boston Medical Center are including patients who were transferred to them in their total numbers.
Cruz said the investigation into the car accident is “active” and ongoing.
“Regarding the motor vehicle operator, we are investigating that. Regarding the motor vehicle situation, we are investigating”, said Cruz. The driver of the vehicle was not taken to the hospital, according to Cruz. “As I understand it, he hasn’t been taken to the hospital yet,” he said. “He is, at this moment, with police.”
When asked how many people were possibly inside the Apple store when the car accident occurred, Cruz noted that it’s the start of a holiday week.
“Obviously, the Apple store is a very busy place. It’s Monday of a holiday week,” said Cruz. “So I don’t know exactly how many people were there – I’m sure we’ll find out.”
Hingham is about 20 miles south of Boston.
Apple’s Derby Street location in Hingham is currently closed, according to its website.
“We are sorry for the inconvenience while this store is closed,” the website said. “Until we can reopen again, please consider using our online services.”
Apple released a statement on Monday saying “our hearts go out to our team members and customers who were injured and all those who were affected by this terrible incident.”
“We are devastated by the shocking events at Apple Derby Street today and the tragic loss of a professional who was on site supporting the store’s recent construction,” the company said in a statement. “We are doing everything we can to support our team members and customers at this very difficult time.”
The Apple store, which has a large glass display case, is located at the back of the upscale Derby Street Shops. The entrance to the store overlooks a large parking lot where hundreds of visitors pass daily.
The shopping area is especially busy during the holiday season, with the Apple store and surrounding restaurants and shops gathering large crowds at this time of year.
Source: CNN Brasil
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